Similarly, in the light commercial vehicle segment, for the same period, there were 26 brands with 599 model derivatives to choose from, according to the newly released Automotive Business Council’s (naamsa) Automotive Trade Manual 2025.

Modern consumers don’t just want access to all the latest models and technologies in the world, but they also want an affordable price. Total new vehicle revenue, based on the recommended retail prices, amounted to R283.6 billion in 2024.

NEV sales reflected another impressive increase of 100.6% from 7 782 units in 2023 to 15 611 units in 2024, following the year-on-year increase of 65.8% in 2023. NEV sales’ share, by 21 brands, as a percentage of total new-vehicle sales, increased to a notable 3.0% in 2024, up from 1.47% in 2023.

As an export-orientated industry, the automotive industry has been facing a severe crisis as the unpredictability of rising tariffs and a looming trade war are causing a state of chronic uncertainty since 2024. South Africa has advantageous access to world markets through free trade agreements with major markets such as Europe and the UK, in addition, it is part of the SADC free trade area as well as a key member of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

• Exports to the EU, the domestic automotive industry’s top export region, increased to a record R156.7 billion in 2024 while exports to Africa, its second largest export region, increased to a record R48.1 billion.
• In 2024, automotive component exports decreased by R3.4 billion, or 5.2%, to R63.4 billion, from R66.9 billion in 2023, mainly owing to the decline in catalytic converter exports. However, catalytic converters remained the top automotive component exported from South Africa, comprising 30.4% of total automotive component exports, followed by engine parts, tyres and transmission shafts and cranks.

Imports of light vehicles (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) increased by 2.6% from 296 767 units in 2023 to 304 355 units in 2024. New light vehicles imported into South Africa originated from 24 countries. The top country of origin, in volume terms, for passenger cars and LCVs imported into South Africa in 2024 was India, with 173 742 vehicles, accounting for 57.1% of the total light vehicles imported, while China cemented its second position, accounting for 17.1%.

South Africa remained the dominant market on the African continent, and accounted for 50.9% of the total African vehicle production of 1 177 400 vehicles in 2024.

Internationally, there was modest growth in new-vehicle sales in 2024, growing by 2.7% and totalling 95.3 million units, up from 92.9 million units sold in 2023. The automotive industry was visibly divided in 2024. Traditional OEMs from Europe, Japan and the US faced declining sales and restructuring.